Nikela Blog Archives - Nikela: Helping People Saving Wildlife

One proven method to resolve human wildlife conflict with elephants

Aug 14, 2019 · by Wildlife Margrit · In: elephant, Human Wildlife Conflict, Nikela Blog, wildlife conservation Tagged: human wildlife conflicts, Moses Ryakitimbo, protecting crops, saving elephants

The success story continues with this rather simple method to resolve human wildlife conflict. How it began Several months back Moses Ryakitimbo in Tanzania reached out to us. As the founder of ‘Alert for endangered wildlife species’ (AFeWiS) Moses was very concerned about elephants invading the farms bordering the Arusha National Park. After visiting with numerous farmers and doing a bit of research on methods to resolve human wildife conflict he came upon a viable solution. Elephants don’t like bees. Building beehive fences along crop land perimeters supposedly keep elephants away. Moses sent us a proposal to build 10 beehives….

What is the difference between Wildlife Conservation and Animal Welfare?

Aug 7, 2019 · by Wildlife Margrit · In: Animal Welfare, Bearded Vulture, elephant, lion, Nikela Blog, wildlife conservation Tagged: animal welfare, wildlife conservation

“Aren’t they one and the same thing?” For quite some time I thought wildlife conservation and animal welfare were concepts that could be used interchangeably. However, I was dead wrong. Although on the surface it may seem that both wildlife conservation and animal welfare are about saving and protecting furry and feathered creatures… each has a different premise. Wildlife Conservation can be defined as… “Wildlife conservation activities relate to the protection of plants and animal species, and their habitats. Conservation efforts are made with a goal to preserve nature, and endangered species for the future generations.” (According to the US…

Why would wildlife poachers turn in their spears for shovels?

Jul 31, 2019 · by Wildlife Margrit · In: Moses, Nikela Blog, Poaching Tagged: anti-poaching, Moses Arineitwe, reformed poachers, stop poaching

Moses persuades wildlife poachers to turn in their spears for shovels! Wildlife poaching is a huge issue across Africa. Large organizations are involved. Money comes pouring in. However, on the ground it’s often individuals who actually make a difference. Who actually really stop the wildlife poachers. How exactly Moses does it is a mystery. We met up with Moses early in 2017. He introduced us to his first group of reformed wildlife poachers. They told us stories of spearing and snaring wildlife for the bush meat trade. They spoke of killing elephants, hippo, and all sorts of antelope. It was…

A simple Pangolin Rescue Mission system that is working in Uganda

Jul 24, 2019 · by Wildlife Margrit · In: endangered, Illegal trade, Moses, Nikela Blog, Pangolin, Poaching, Wildlife Trafficking Tagged: endangered pangolin, Moses Arineitwe, saving pangolin, wildlife trafficking

It begins with a text. And Moses is off on another pangolin rescue mission. Intervening in the wildlife trafficking trade is not for sissies! The scaly anteater, the pangolin, is the most highly endangered mammal on the planet. What on earth do people want from this nocturnal, harmless, seldom seen creature? For one, locals say it’s mighty tasty eating. So it is caught and killed for eating… bush meat. However, what’s really driving this critter to the brink of extinction is an ever increasing appetite for its scales in Asia. Tons of bags of scales have been intercepted at entry…

Love the Desert… Wait, in Summer?

Jul 18, 2019 · by Russ · In: Land Rover, Nikela Blog, South African Tour Tagged: #NikelaAfrica, South Africa, Tankwa National Park

Just when we finally go back to love the desert, the summer furnace hits us in Tankwa National Park of the Great Karoo, South Africa. In the shade it’s 42 degrees Celsius (108 Fahrenheit). Even less nice, Landy’s lack of Air Conditioning creates a blazing oven even Hansel and Gretel would appreciate. Yes, I procrastinated having the A/C looked at and boy are we’re paying for it. Fortunately the hot blast from the fan, the rushing air from the windows, and managing to gulp down tons of water helps a bit. Even so, the sun bakes us in this massive…